Low-carb diets have enjoyed booming popularity in recent years, and it's easy to understand why. According to a government-funded study led by Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education, low-carb diets are every bit as effective as low-fat ones in terms of shedding weight, and could be better for your heart.
So it was only natural that many dieters took that theory a step further, trying diets including no carbs at all. While it can be difficult to find foods completely devoid of carbs, they do exist.
Eggs
Eggs contain no carbs, which is vital for anyone attempting a no-carb diet because most breakfast items--cereal, toast and the like--are packed with them. They're also perhaps the best all-around option for the carb-less diet because they're low in fat, especially if you remove the yolks and eat only the egg whites.
And to top it off, one cooked egg white has a microscopic 16 calories and less than a gram of fat.
Corned Beef
Many low-carb meats are out there, but finding meat with no carbs at all is a matter of seeking out ones that have not been processed, as that practice is what injects carbs into the meat. Corned beef is easily found in carb-free form, but go with small portions or you'll defeat the purpose of your diet; a 320-gram serving of it comes with a whopping 548 calories from fat and more sodium than you should ingest in an entire day of eating.
Parmesan Cheese
While many of its cheese brethren come with carbs, most parmesan is completely carb-free. Granted, you can't make a meal entirely out of it, but it can be added to some of the no-carb meat items to add flavor to what may have otherwise been bland meals.
Water
Drinks may be the most overlooked part of a no-carb diet in terms of difficulty because most drinks contain at least a small amount of carbs. Water is the easy choice here; it not only contains zero carbs, but it's also healthy. Water aids in digestion and immune function, and helps prevent dehydration.
There's also a handful of commercial drinks formulated especially for people on low and no-carb diets--Arizona brand No-Carb Diet Blueberry Green Tea for instance.
Tuna Fish
You can find carb-free tuna fish at the grocery store with relative ease. Additionally, tuna is low in fat and high in protein, which is especially helpful if you're working out in addition to dieting. It's also high on omega-3 fats, which contribute to heart health. But it's not advisable to try an all-tuna diet; too much of it can lead to excessive mercury levels, which can be toxic.
Member Comments